Stilt ball game apparatus

ABSTRACT

Game apparatus including a multi-sided projectile and a set of stilts for propelling the projectile toward a goal. At least one of the stilts has a vertically movable horizontally extending kicking member adjacent the lower portion thereof for engaging the projectile at selected distances above the ground. The kicking member is ellipsodal and has a ground engageable rocker portion which, in the lowermost position, serves as a training aid for assisting one learning to walk with the stilts by providing lateral support for the stilt when it is tilted from a vertical position.

United States Patent [191 Weiss May 29, 1973 [s41 STILT BALL GAME APPARATUS 1,679,659 8/1928 Hasskarl et al. ..273/67 R [76] Inventor: Robert E. Weiss, 809 W. Genesee I'm-L314 6/1929 Fran? Avail-gfigihwmiahmzgmf 3,273,575 9/1966 Aldrlch..... v 3,380,735 4/1968 Rigby ..272/33 A [22] 1970 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [21] Appl. No.: 57,561

1,474,089 2/1967 France ..272/70.1

[52] US. Cl. ..272/70.l, 273/58 R, 273/67 R, Primary Examiner-Anton O. Oechsle 2731/1 18 R Assistant Examiner-Richard J. Apley [51] Int. Cl. ..A63b 25/00 Attorney-Learman & Mcculloch [58] Field of Search ..273/67 R, 129;

272/70.l, 70.2, 33 A; 135/54-62; 182/108; [57 7 B A Game apparatus mcludmg a multl-slded pro ect1le and [56] References Cited a set of stilts for propelling the projectile toward a goal. At least one of the stilts has a vertically movable UNITED STATES PATENTS horizontally extending kicking member adjacent the lower portion thereof for engaging the projectile at 223223 @5133 222233273'::::::::::::::: 3313323213811 selected distances above the mund- The kicking 1,0371503 9 1912 Mann.........: ..272/7o.1 member is ellipmdal and has a ground engageable 2,057,013 10/1936 Curtis ..272 70.1 rocker Portion which, in the lowermost Position 2 7 335 5 1953 Koenig 272 701 serves as a training aid for assisting one learning to 3,626,519 12/1971 Baker ..272/70 1 walk with the stilts by providing lateral support for the 3,557,782 1/ 1971 Wafe 72/70- X stilt when it is tilted from a vertical position. 2,172,645 9/1939 Taylor ..272/70.2 2,799,287 7/ 1957 ..135/54 3 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures FIG. 3

Patented May 29, 1973 FIG. I 6 A /4 INVENTGR I ROBERT E. WEISS FIGB W; y w

ATTORNEYS 1 STIL'I BALL GAME APPARATUS FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to game apparatus and more particularly to game apparatus including a set of stilts for propelling an object along the ground. With the ever increasing leisure time of todays youth, there is an ever increasing demand for recreational activity which will develop a childs physique, competitive spirit, and sportsmanship. It also is desirable that such activities be capable of being conducted indoors during inclement weather.

Although stilts have been known and used for some time, their usefulness has been limited. Children tire of previously known walking stilts after they have used them for a short period of time. One of the reasons for this is that, except for possible racing events, the use of walking stilts has not engendered a competitive spirit among the users.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide new and improved game apparatus which utilizes a stilt to propel an object along a playing field.

It is another object of the present invention to provide game apparatus including a vertically adjustable kicking member on the lower portion of a stilt to engage an object to be propelled.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a training aid for assisting a stilt user to learn how to walk with stilts.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a stilt having a member which is engageable with an object to propel the object and which is also usable as a training aid for assisting a user to walk with the stilts.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly, the present invention includes a stilt construction for use in propelling an object along the ground and comprises elongated support means including a ground engageable portion at one end, foot support means spaced from the ground engageable portion, and laterally projecting means longitudinally movable on the elongated support means for engaging and propelling an object when the elongated support means is moved along the ground. V

The present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: l 1 g FIG. 1 is a top plan, schematic view of a playing field on which the game apparatus formed according to the present invention may be utilized;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view generally illustrating a pair of stilts formed according to the invention and schematically illustrating a person supported thereon;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of F IG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

' FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a perspective, front view illustrating a projectile to be propelled by the stilt formed according to the invention;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the projectile taken on the line 8-6 of FIG. 7; and v FIG. 9 is a fragmentary, side elevational view particularly illustrating the object engaging member.

Apparatus constructed according to the invention is adapted to be used on a playing field, generally illustrated at P in FIG. 1, including a pair of side lines 10 and a pair of end lines 12. The playing field is similar to a football field. A goal, schematically illustrated at G, is provided at each en of the field and may comprise suitable upright members 14 between which an object may be propelled to score points.

Apparatus constructed according to the present invention includes a pair of stilts S, each mounting a kicking member K adjacent the lower end thereof for engaging and propelling a multi-sided object 13 which, for purposes of convenience, will be referred to hereinafter as an object ball. Each stilt S includes upper and lower tubular telescoping members 16 and 18 which are square in cross section. At its upper end, the member 116 snugly receives a squared stub shaft portion 20 of a handle H having a-flange portion 22 welded or otherwise suitably secured to the upper portion of the tubular member 16.

Adjacent its lower end each tubular section 16 mounts a foot-supporting member 26 which includes a vertically extending flat plate portion 28 in abutting relation with one of the side walls of the tubular member 16 and a generally horizontally extending plate portion 30 secured to the upper end thereof. A gusset 32 is provided between the plates 28 and 30 to rigidify the structure. A strap 34 connected to the plate 28 surrounds the tubular member 16 and is welded or otherwise suitable secured thereto to prevent movement of the foot supporting member 26 relative to the tubular member 16. A child is shown at M in FIG. 1 supported on the members 26.

A plurality of apertures 16a is provided in the side wall of the tubular member 16 to receive locking pins 36 which pass therethrough and are received in similarly formed apertures 18a in the side wall of the lower tubular section 18. If desired, the apertures 116a and 18a may include metal liners to eliminate any possible wearing of the apertures. The relative positions of the members 16 and 18 may be adjusted quickly to locate the positions of the foot supporting members 26 at a desired position relative to the ground by removing-the pins 36 and sliding the members 16 and 118 relatively to each other. A block is welded or otherwise suitably secured in the lower end of the opening 18a in the tubular member 18. A ground engaging support member 40 has a screw 38projecting from its upper side which is threadedlyreceived in the block 36a. The lower portion of the block is serrated at 40a to assist in gripping the support surfaces. It should be understood that the serrated surface 40a can be formed with a rubber tread, particularly if the apparatus is to be used on a wood or other smooth floor.

The kicking member K comprises two hollow hemiellipsoidal portions 42, each having a pair of cutout portions 48 in the upper and lower edge portions 420 and a pair of recessed portions 47 on opposite ends of the side wall. The hemi-ellipsoidal portions 42 are clamped together by pairs of nuts 45 and bolts which pass through suitable apertures in the abutting portions 47. When the hemi-ellipsoidal portions are clamped together as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, so that the edge portions of the two halves 42 are in mating relation, the cutout portions 48 form a square passage which receives the member 18. The side walls of the tubular member 18 are recessed as at 18b to receive the upper and lower terminal end portions 48a of the cutout portions 48 of the hemi-ellipsoidal halves 42 so as to prevent vertical movement of the kicker member K relative to the tubular member 18 when the two halves 42 are bolted together. All of the apparatus described heretofore may be formed of suitable plastic material which preferably is light weight and easy to manipulate in addition to being non-corrosive and durable such as type ABS acrylic.

In its lowermost position the convex devices K may engage the ground and minimize tipping of the stilts. The devices K, therefore, serve as uaining devices in the use of the stilts.

The object ball B preferably is formed of light weight plastic material such as polystyrene. Because a person on stilts has limited mobility, it is desirable that the ob ject ball not travel an extreme distance. Thus, the object ball comprises a decahedron having flat side walls joined by sharp edges 50 which will impede the travel of the object ball afterit has been kicked by the kicker member K. If the object ball included fewer sides, it would not roll a sufficient distance and if more than ten sides were used, the object ball would tend to roll too great a distance.

THE OPERATION The user M stands on the foot support members 26 and grasps the handle portions H with his hands. When the user M is first learning to walk on the stilts, the kicking members K are placed in the lowermost position, as shown in FIG. 3, so that when the stilts tend to rock about the ground-engaging surface 48a the lowermost portions K of the kicking members will engage the ground and act as lateral supports tending to maintain the stilts in their operative, generally vertical positions. The surface K' is maintained in rocking engagement with the supporting surface as the stilt is rocked about the end 48a. After the user M has become proficient in walking with the stilts, the kicking member K can then be moved to a raised position so that it will engage the object ball B at a desired height above the ground. In general, the lower the level at which the members K are mounted, the greater the distance the object ball B may be propelled by a single kick.

It should be understood that, although the tubular members 16 and 18 are illustrated as being square in cross section, they could be of other geometric shape, such as circular.

It is to be understood that the drawings and descriptive matter are in all cases to be interpreted as merely illustrative of the principles of the invention, rather than limiting the same in any way, since it is contemplated that various changes may be made in various elements to achieve like results without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A stilt construction for use in propelling an object comprising: I

manually movable elongated support means including a ground engageable portion at one end thereof and foot support means longitudinally spaced from said ground engageable portion; and

laterally projecting means, longitudinally movable on said elongated support means to any selected one of a plurality of different positions interjacent said one end and said foot support means, for engaging and propelling an object when the elongated support means is moved along the ground;

said propelling means including a pair of separable, hollow, thin walled, half portions having a curved, ground engageable surface for engaging the ground when the laterally projecting means is adjacent said one end to provide lateral support for the elongated support means; and means removably clamping said separable half portions to opposite sides of said elongated support means.

2. A stilt construction for use in propelling an object comprising:

manually movable elongated support means, having a plurality of longitudinally spaced recesses on opposite sides thereof, including a ground engageable portion at one end thereof and foot support means longitudinally spaced from said ground engageable portion; and

laterally projecting means, longitudinally movable on said elongated support means to any selected one of a plurality of different positions interjacent said one end and said foot support means, for engaging and propelling an object when the elongated support means is moved along the ground;

said laterally projecting means having a pair of separable half portions including a curved ground engageable surface for engaging the ground when the laterally projecting means is adjacent said one end to provide lateral support for the elongated support means, and means removably clamping said separable half portions to opposite sides of said elongated support means; I

said separable half portions including a portion receivable in said recesses when said separable half portions are clamped to said elongated support means.

3. In combination with a stilt comprising elongated support means adapted to extend vertically when in its normal supporting position, and including a ground engageable portion at one outer end and foot supporting means longitudinally inwardly spaced from said one end;

a training device for training a user to walk with said stilt comprising laterally projecting support means longitudinally inwardly spaced from said ground engaging portion for engaging the ground as the elongated support means is rocked about said one end on the ground;

said laterally projecting support means including rocker means having a convex ground engaging surface adjacent said ground engaging portion for rocking engagement with the ground as the stilt is rocked about said one end;

said convex ground engaging surface flaring laterally outwardly and longitudinally away from said ground engageable portion. 

1. A stilt construction for use in propelling an object comprising: manually movable elongated support means including a ground engageable portion at one end thereof and foot support means longitudinally spaced from said ground engageable portion; and laterally projecting means, longitudinally movable on said elongated support means to any selected one of a plurality of different positions interjacent said one end and said foot support means, for engaging and propelling an object when the elongated support means is moved along the ground; said propelling means including a pair of separable, hollow, thin walled, half portions having a curved, ground engageable surface for engaging the ground when the laterally projecting means is adjacent said one end to provide lateral support for the elongated support means; and means removably clamping said separable half portions to oppoSite sides of said elongated support means.
 2. A stilt construction for use in propelling an object comprising: manually movable elongated support means, having a plurality of longitudinally spaced recesses on opposite sides thereof, including a ground engageable portion at one end thereof and foot support means longitudinally spaced from said ground engageable portion; and laterally projecting means, longitudinally movable on said elongated support means to any selected one of a plurality of different positions interjacent said one end and said foot support means, for engaging and propelling an object when the elongated support means is moved along the ground; said laterally projecting means having a pair of separable half portions including a curved ground engageable surface for engaging the ground when the laterally projecting means is adjacent said one end to provide lateral support for the elongated support means, and means removably clamping said separable half portions to opposite sides of said elongated support means; said separable half portions including a portion receivable in said recesses when said separable half portions are clamped to said elongated support means.
 3. In combination with a stilt comprising elongated support means adapted to extend vertically when in its normal supporting position, and including a ground engageable portion at one outer end and foot supporting means longitudinally inwardly spaced from said one end; a training device for training a user to walk with said stilt comprising laterally projecting support means longitudinally inwardly spaced from said ground engaging portion for engaging the ground as the elongated support means is rocked about said one end on the ground; said laterally projecting support means including rocker means having a convex ground engaging surface adjacent said ground engaging portion for rocking engagement with the ground as the stilt is rocked about said one end; said convex ground engaging surface flaring laterally outwardly and longitudinally away from said ground engageable portion. 